Former Dallas Cowboy Sam Hurd pleads guilty to drug charge

Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Sam Hurd apologized Thursday for his role in a plot to distribute cocaine and marijuana as he pleaded guilty to a federal drug charge.

“I’m sorry for everything I’ve done,” Hurd told a federal judge as he stood in a prison jumpsuit, his feet shackled together.

But Jay Ethington, an attorney for the 27-year-old, said federal prosecutors “coaxed” his client into much of what he was accused of doing. He said authorities also provided “inaccurate” information about the amount of cocaine involved in the case.

Ethington described his client as a heavy marijuana user who was exploited by “parasites” who cooperated with federal authorities during a months-long sting operation. He promised a contentious sentencing hearing, scheduled for July, that will take aim at prosecutors.

Hurd doesn’t have a plea deal with prosecutors. He faces from 10 years to a life sentence in prison.

Federal authorities shook off Ethington’s assessment of their case Thursday.

“The evidence speaks for itself,” said Kathy Colvin, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Dallas.

When asked why his client pleaded guilty, Ethington said Hurd is guilty of “serious mistakes and being influenced and manipulated.” He said Hurd’s attorneys couldn’t pursue an entrapment defense because Hurd did intend to distribute marijuana.

Ethington said his client has no current plans to divulge names of other Dallas Cowboys or NFL players who may have bought or used drugs. He declined to comment on whether or not Hurd has such a list.

He also said Hurd had no potential clients lined up when the distribution plot was hatched.

A plea agreement between prosecutors and defense attorneys fell apart last year. Hurd alluded to that failed agreement and tension between the two sides as he apologized to U.S. District Judge Jorge Solis for taking more than a year to plead guilty. Hurd said he was sorry for the court costs associated with continued hearings.

“I’ve always wanted to tell the truth and plead guilty,” he told Solis.

Hurd smiled occasionally and quietly spoke with his lawyers before Thursday’s hearing in a Dallas federal court. He nodded at relatives and friends before he was taken out of the courtroom.

Hurd supporters declined to speak to reporters afterward.

“They’re devastated, really,” Ethington said.

Hurd played for the Cowboys from 2006 to 2010. He signed with the Chicago Bears in 2011 but was cut that year amid his legal problems.

Hurd’s cousin admitted in federal court last year that he helped the former NFL player establish a cocaine-distribution network. Prosecutors have said the plot began when Hurd played for the Cowboys and continued after he began playing for the Bears.

In 2011, officers stopped Toby Lujan of Dallas, who was driving Hurd's Cadillac. Officers seized a bag containing $88,000 and marijuana residue, federal documents allege. Lujan told investigators he tried to buy cocaine with Hurd's money for the purpose of trying to create a large drug distribution network.

Investigators say Lujan turned into a federal informant and continued to help Hurd acquire cocaine, including setting up a meeting at a Chicago-area steakhouse in late 2011.

Hurd was arrested outside the restaurant after authorities said he agreed to purchase multiple kilograms of cocaine on a weekly basis from a federal informant and an undercover officer.

Ethington said authorities spent months trying to goad Hurd into the steakhouse meeting. He said all of the cocaine tied to the case was provided by authorities.

While out on bail, Hurd moved to San Antonio and lived with his sister. He was arrested there last year after federal investigators said he tested positive for marijuana. A federal magistrate revoked Hurd’s bond after finding that prosecutors provided enough evidence that Hurd was continuing to deal drugs.

Federal documents say that Hurd last year asked his cousin to “get him cocaine and marijuana.” Jesse Tyrone Chavful agreed to buy 5 kilograms of cocaine and 200 pounds of marijuana for Hurd and was arrested after getting the drugs from an informant and undercover officer, documents said.

Ethington said his client is trying to keep his head up as they prepare for July’s sentencing hearing.

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